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Table of Contents

• News from the Desk of the Director     
• Greetings from the Board                    
• DBSC Programs Information              
          SSP Program Update
          SSP Education
          Senior Citizen Social Program
          Advocacy and Case Management
• Briefs from Branden                            
• Sandy Sallee                                         
• 20 Years of DBSC Highlights       
• Community Information and
• Announcements                             
• Staff Contact Information                   
• Thank You’s     
• Donor Lists                                     
• Mailing Survey                                    
• Donation Form             

                     
NEWS FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
By Jelica Nuccio

It’s been six months since I have begun my job at DBSC. Wow, has it been a new learning experience for me. I want to thank the DBSC Board for providing support to me and I want to thank the staff for continuing to work hard in an effort to assist Deaf-Blind people to live as independently as possible.

I would like to direct people to our website. If you want to know what’s going on we keep the website up to date. You can find information about the National SSP Pilot Project (NSSPPP), upcoming workshops and information about renting the DBSC conference room for meetings, etc.

We have hired new staff people, Sandy Sallee who is our Administrative Assistant since July and Stephen Kennedy who is our Advocacy Specialist since the last week of August.  Please stop by and welcome them to DBSC.

Thank you to Julie Nelson, who worked at our front desk and as our Development Officer, we wish her the best.

Jackie Engler-Morris now has a new job title, Program Manager. Her responsibilities remain the same working with the SSP program and working directly with aj granda, our SSP Educator.

Many thanks to long time board members, Jeff Foster and Robert J. Steppler (RJS). They have spent many committed hours working hard on the DBSC Board. Since February, we have added 2 new Board members.  The Board will begin fund-raising this year by hosting several house parties. We look forward to working together with these new members.

Our program news involves efforts to improve SSP services. We have committed to providing a series of workshops for SSPs to clearly understand Deaf-Blind culture and communication. 

Discussions about boundaries and respect are included in these workshops.  Further we will be focusing on how to best match Deaf-Blind consumers with the most effective SSP. 

Polly Mansfield has agreed to guide our senior citizens program on a volunteer basis. THANK YOU Polly for your leadership.  We have experienced almost 100% participation with this program!

On a community note, it was so great to see such a large crowd at our annual picnic. This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. It was great to see many faces from the past as well as seeing all of our new community members.

In addition, congratulations to the Lighthouse for another successful Seabeck Retreat. 

Again, because there is so much news, I would like to refer you to our website: www.seattledbsc.org.

GREETINGS FROM DBSC BOARD OF DIRECORS!
By Caryn Tenin, Board President

I hope that you had a wonderful summer! The summer was fun-filled with trips, beautiful weather, BBQ’s and you name it. It was a short lived summer, though.

Please welcome two new Board members, Angela Theriault and Merrilee Avila. They joined us in June of this year. We also want to thank Jeff Foster who has stepped down as a Board member. He contributed a lot of his time to DBSC for six years. He was the Chair for the 2006 Picnic. The picnic was a huge success with a great number of participants and SSPs.

I’m pleased to share information with you that DBSC is planning a major fundraising event to celebrate its 20 anniversary. We are also planning more events during 2007. The details will be announced soon.

We are looking for a DB person who would be interested in joining the Board.  The meetings are held every second Wednesday of “even months” (Feb, April, June, August, October and December) from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Interested applicants please email me at cubby77@comcast.net to receive an application form.

The Board is looking forward to working with Jelica, the staff and community in a bright year.

DBSC PROGRAMS INFORMATION

SSP Program Update:
By Jackie Engler-Morris

Spring & Summer 2006 SSP Workshops

Jackie Engler-Morris, aj granda and Jelica Nuccio provided five excellent workshops this past spring and summer.  We had total of 61 people including professionals, SSPs and interpreters who gained experience and skills to work with DB people effectively. 

We will continue to provide more workshops. In fact we will host a series of three workshops this fall.  If you want to know more information and want to participate in future workshops, please contact Sandy at info@seattledbsc.org.

THANK YOU!!  THANK YOU!!  THANK YOU!! 

Jackie & aj want to express a HUGE thank you to all the MOTIVATED SSPs for their hard work at DBSC’s 3rd annual Walk-a-Thon in May and at our 20th Anniversary picnic this past August 5th!  Both events were a great success and we had plenty of SSPs there to support DB people!

SSP Opportunities
Want to have good time with DB people?  Want to support DB people to have a good quality of life and have independence?  If you wish to become a SSP either as a volunteer, as an ongoing SSP, sub-SSP and/or one-time SSP, please DO contact Jackie at ssp@seattledbsc.org or call 206-323-5463 TTY.  You also can check for more details on our website: www.seattledbsc.org.SSP

Education
aj granda

I am a SSP Educator. What’s that? I give workshops. I mentor. I do marketing. I do one-on-one sessions for training. I am the spoke in the hub of information for people interested in becoming SSPs and for people who already work as an SSP.

I have many goals. The first is to get all Deaf-Blind persons off the DBSC SSP waiting list for services. Second, I also want to host more workshops – workshops for SSPs and for Deaf-Blind folks, too. Third, and most importantly, I also want to educate the community about SSP’s.

Here’s a little bit about me, I LOVE people. I especially enjoy a good conversation. For example, I like learning about the latest trends, the latest websites, the best blogs and new restaurants that make food so good and cheap.

Talk to me. Tell me something new and I’ll make you interested in becoming a SSP. Oh, and of course, I love coffee and Seattle! I hope it rains tomorrow and I hope you find me and ask for free information. INFORMATION IS FREE!  SUPPORT FREE INFORMATION!

Senior Citizen Social Program:
Guest Writer: Polly Mansfield

I send warm greetings to all DB seniors. Our DB Senior Citizens Social Program at DBSC is doing great! Our wonderful ASL volunteers have joined us as our interpreters as we meet and share our ideas of what we would like to do: crafts, games, food and learning about health care issues.

Also, we go out and do fun things together: hiking and eating out, we go to social events at least once a month.

We hope to have more DB seniors who are 60+ come join us and we always welcome volunteers to our gatherings.

For more information please contact me at rosepinkmp@earthlink.net.  Or call me at 206.329.0211 TTY.

Advocacy and Case Management Program:
By Steve Kennedy

I thought of sharing with you what it is like working as an Advocacy Specialist at DBSC.   Most of the work I advocate has a wide variety of barriers where our DBSC participants may have difficulty accessing. 

For an example, a participant, who is Deaf-Blind, expressed frustration with a utility billing department who kept sending multiple statements.   This DB participant requested it to be in large print format and tried to call using the telebraille.   The receiver kept hanging up on him due to the pace of communication and a lack of disability awareness.   This went on for several weeks and finally I was contacted for more assistance to help resolve the issue.   We set up an appointment for a one on one meeting and made the call together.  I was anticipating the utility billing department would hang up, but I immediately began to explain that my client is Deaf-Blind and I am an advocate.  The conversation took 15 minutes and the representative had not understood the situation and honored DB’s request.  My participant was so happy and felt relieved!  This is one of many examples with the work that I do at DBSC.  

I am the newest DBSC staff member as Advocacy Specialist.  I was born deaf and sign fluently.   Prior to joining DBSC, I taught ASL courses at various colleges for several years.  I worked in the Greater Los Angeles Council on the Deafness, Inc  where I managed client cases in the advocacy program.  I have been living in Seattle for the past 10 years and worked many hours with the Deaf-Blind Community as a SSP and interpreter.   I’m very exciting to be a part of the great family at DBSC.   Please contact me if you need assistance or just to say Hi!

BRIEFS FROM BRANDEN:
Branden Huxtable

Hi DBSC Newsletter readers! I have two stories to share with you this month. The first is about the Third Annual DBSC Walk-a-thon. The second is about DBSC’s 20th Anniversary Picnic. Enjoy!

Third Annual DBSC Walk-a Thon
May 6th was a perfect day for the Third Annual DBSC Walk-a-Thon at Seward Park. The day was sunny but cool. It was not too hot for a two-and-a-half mile walk.

About 100 to 150 Deaf-Blind walkers and SSPs showed up. This is less than last years walk, yet the number of Deaf-Blind was more than ever before! Friends met friends and people met new faces. People walking together encouraged each other to complete the route. There were some who brought dogs and we made sure they had plenty of water to drink. Humans also made sure they had plenty of water to drink, too!

The Walk-a-Thon raised $3,782 which helped DBSC meet their $22,000 goal for 2006.

Why Seward Park? The Walk-a-Thon committee and the City of Seattle decided that would be the best place for a Deaf-Blind walk. The trails are easy and smooth. The lakeside setting with plants were a perfect setting for a long walk.

The Walk-a-Thon Committee included Jeff Foster, Lynn Martinez, Cheri Pederson, Jacki Christi, Barry Seagal and Kathy Steiner as the chairperson. Kathy said the Walk-a-Thon Committee worked very hard putting together brochures, collecting donations, and working with the City of Seattle to set up Seward Park for the big day. Kathy remarked that there was very good teamwork from everyone involved.

Kathy has been the chairperson for the last three events. Will she continue for a fourth year? We shall see.

Thanks to 7-11 for providing water and Gatorade for our thirsty walkers. Thanks also to Talking Rain for providing water and juice. We are also grateful to the Washington State Relay System for providing us with money to print brochures and purchase stamps.

Most importantly, a HUGE thank you to all the walkers, volunteers and sponsors who made this year’s event a success.
We look forward to next year’s Walk-a-Thon!

Twentieth Anniversary Picnic
This year, DBSC had a nice warm breezy picnic at Ravenna Park this past August 5th.  This year our annual picnic was a special celebration to mark DBSC’s 20th anniversary.

About 100 people showed up to spend the afternoon together in the sun and shade of the Park’s Shelter 1. There was a good mix of Deaf-Blind, SSPs, family and friends.

Everyone who came to the picnic was asked to sign DBSC’s yellow banner that was a gift from The Copy Company. The five foot long banner says: “DBSC Celebrates 20 Years!”

Just before we ate the wonderful food Jelica Nuccio and Carol Brown put on a mini-skit to tell us about DBSC's 20 year history. 
After the skit we ate and we made sure to leave room for a piece of two delicious anniversary cakes. One had the DBSC logo on top.

A big thank you to Sign on for sponsoring our celebrating, we’re very grateful!

We look forward to serving you for the next 20 years and more.  See you at next year's picnic!

SANDY SALLEE
Hello everyone!  I joined DBSC in July of this year.  It has been a great time so far.

What interested me in learning ASL?  A few years back my niece gave me a call and told me that her daughter is Deaf.  Although she was still a baby I thought of my own childhood and the challenges I experienced having only spoken Spanish in an English world.  As she became older and began to learn ASL these thoughts came back to me (especially because most of my family communicates in Spanish) and so I decided to take basic ASL classes so that I can communicate more easily and freely with her.  I became more involved with the Deaf and Deaf-Blind communities.  This opened up my awareness to a language and culture that I had not even known!  I felt such a bond with embracing a new language and culture since I was taught my entire life to appreciate my own.  It has been such an exciting and challenging time! 

I am now looking forward to staring ASLIS’ Interpreter Training Program this month (September 2006)… so I look forward to seeing everyone in the community! 

TWENTY YEARS OF DBSC HIGHLIGHTS
Julie Nelson

Let’s look at 20 “moments” that highlight DBSC’s past 20+ years:

11/1984  Department of Services for the Blind, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Developmental Disabilities contributes $150,000 to create the Joint Cooperative Services Unit (JCSU). This Task force of 51 individuals includes 65% DB members.

5/1985   JCSU becomes DBSC.

8/1985   Laurel Poulisse becomes first DBSC Executive Director.

2/1986   Governor Booth Gardner visits DBSC.

8/1986   Kathryn Cutler becomes SSP Coordinator. SSP policies and job descriptions are written. Also, the first 20+ SSPs, paid and volunteer both, are recruited and begin providing services.

1/1987   DBSC becomes a nonprofit. Linda Williams is Acting Director. In June she’s appointed Exec. Director.

6/18/87  The State budget bill with a line item for DBSC is passed!

11/1989  Carol Brown-Wollin becomes DBSCs third Exec. Director.

1/1990   DBSC receives block grant monies from City of Seattle of $30,000.

8/1993   Weekly visits to the Lighthouse to provide proactive services begins.

5/1994   First fundraiser: dinner with entertainment provided by Jer Loudenback and Marilyn Smith.

1994      Mentorship Pilot Project implemented by Marthalee Galeota and funded by Western Oregon State College.

9/1999   Gail Ploman becomes the fourth Exec. Director of DBSC.

2001      DBSC celebrates 15 years.

2002      DBSC saved by DB community, by preventing state   budget cuts.

2003      DBSC moves office to Madison (present location) from Eastlake Ave E.

2003      DBSC receives $130K from federal funds through the Lighthouse for the Blind.

2004      First Walk-a-Thon fundraiser.

2/2006   Jelica Nuccio becomes the first DB Exec. Director of DBSC!
             
5/2006   Walk-a-Thon fundraiser successfully raises $22K matching grant from City of Seattle.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

DBSC Events:

Fall Workshops at DBSC Conference Room:
“Communication Development between Deaf-Blind People and SSP/Interpreter”

October 9 from 6:30 – 9 pm

“Boundaries among Allies and Deaf-Blind People” October 17 from 1- 3:30 pm or October 23 from 6:30 – 9 pm
(0.25 CEU’s will be offered for this session)

Deaf-Blind Senior Citizen Social Gathering
October 13, 2006
For more information contact Polly Mansfield at rosepinkmp@earthlink.net

DBSC Fall Fundraising 2006
“Guide to the Future”
A Celebration of 20 years!
November 28, 2006
5:30 – 9 pm
The Stimson-Green Mansion
1204 Minor Avenue.  Seattle, WA 98101
Admission is $60/person
Please RSVP on or before November 16, 2006

GENERAL COMMUNITY EVENTS:

DAW – Deaf Awareness Week
October 6 – 14, 2006
Various Events and Locations
Please check our website, www.seattledbsc.org, for full calendar of events.

DB Community Class
Wed., October 4 and 18; November 1, 15, and 29
From 5:30 – 7:00 pm (Doors open at 4:30 pm)
Topics and Presenters vary by class.
For more information contact Karen Park at:  KPark@seattlelh.org or view schedule at: www.deafblindlh.org/dbclass/schedule.html

Washington State Deaf-Blind Citizens 
General Meeting
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Social Hour: 9:00 to 10:00 AM
Meeting:  10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon; 1:00 - 3:00 PM
For more information go to:  www.wsdbc.org/events/general_meeting.htm

ASLIS HAS MOVED!
Sandy Sallee

ASLIS will now be sharing our office space!  ASLIS’ general office will be located in the DBSC suite. There will not be general office hours for ASLIS, but should you need information or assistance please e-mail them at aslis@juno.com

The final ASLIS ITP class will have their classes at DBSC on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Welcome ASLIS!

DBSC STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jackie Engler-Morris, Program Manager
Phone: 206-323-5463 TTY
Email: jangler@seattledbsc.org
Email: ssp@seattledbsc.org

aj granda, SSP Educator
Phone: 206-328-0613 TTY
Email:  deafblind@seattledbsc.org

Steve Kennedy, Advocacy Specialist
Phone:  206-323-3644 TTY
Email:  skennedy@seattledbsc.org

Jelica Nuccio, Executive Director
Email:  jnuccio@seattledbsc.org

Michelle Perreria, Office Manager
Phone:  206-726-1950 V/TTY
Email:  mperreria@seattledbsc.org

Sandy Sallee, Administrative Assistant
Phone:  206-323-9178 V/TTY
Email:  info@seattledbsc.org

DBSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President: Caryn Tenin
V. President: Adam Novsam
Treasurer: Jennifer Moore
Secretary: Karen Stueland
Member: Kathy Steiner
Member: Jacki Christl
Member: Angela Theriault
Member: Merrilee Avila

THANK YOU TO OUR MANY VOLUNTEERS:
 
We also want to thank DBSC staff and board who often contribute their time and energy outside of their jobs.  Thanks to all!! 

A special thank you to the Copy Company for donating our banner that everyone was able to sign for the DBSC 20th Anniversary Picnic! 

Anderson, Lara
Ann Coppel Prod.  LLC.
Avila, Merrilee
Baker, Jill
Barber, Les S.
Barkley, Darrin
Barnes, William
Barreras, Ronise
Byaliss, Robert/Bonnie
Bean, Robert
Bernadt, Kevin
Berk, Tamara
Bernstein, Peg
Bishop, Joani
Blish, Kellie
Blumenau, Robert
Bondroff, Ryan
Bowen, Julie
Bradshaw, Joan
Brooks, Donna
Brown, Carol
Brown, Ronald
Brown, Sandra
Bunker, Laurel
Burks, Delores
Burt, Laura
Carlson, Karen/M. Collins
Carroll, Robert
Case, Doug
Cave, Joan
Chambers, Mark
Chase, Robert/Lynn
Cheroke, Helen
Christl, Jacquelyn
Clodfelter, Jordan
Curnutt, Terri Lynn
Cutler, Kathryn
Dailey, Judith
Davis, Matthew
Delcambre, Holly
Devereux, Deborah
Dimino, Jennifer
Dore, Jackie
Durfee, Dan/Judy
Edwards, Terra
Effron, Miriam
Eng, Margarita
Engelstad, James/Constance
Engler Living Trust
Engler-Morris, Jackie
Fankhauser, Marcia
Fine, Mary
Fisher, Selene
Foster, Jeff
Foster, Marlene
Franklin, Michael/Margaret
Furtado, Cherie
Furtado, Frank/Sarah
Galeota, Marthalee
Garvida, Evellynn Ann
Genow, James
Genow, Lauren
Graff-Cullins, Joey
Gremmert, Rosemary
Grunbaum, Branko
Halseth, Tom
Healy, Jean
Helsel, Don
Henderson, Joni
Hendsch, Robert/Cynthia
Hilton, Jefferey
Hoffman, Paula
Hollingsworth, Sue
Huxtable, Branden/Jennifer
Jacobson, George
Janka, Danny
Johnson, Bart/Kristen
Jurko, Elizabeth
Kentor, Leslie M.
Kettrick, Catherine
Key Foundation
Klarman
Koehl, Amy
Kool-Brown, Eric/Sheryl
Kyllo, Cheryl
Labitag, A.
Labrun, Jean
Ladner, Richard/Ann Sauer
Landreneau, Mark
Ledray, Sandra
Lee, Yuh
Leskovar, Michael/Lisa Majestic
Liang, Patty
Local Independent Charities
Loen, Jefferey
Ludwig, Chad
Mackillop, Michael
Malloy, Paul
Mannucci, Valerie
Mansfield, Pauline
Marcus, Robert
Marks, Robert
Marsters, Janice
Martinez, Lynneth
Massena, Jim/Marie
Matthews, Jackie
McAnulty, Mary
McComb, Jeannie
McConaghy, Michelle
McDermott, Janie
McKenney, Virginia
Merkin, Lewis Marc
Meske, Lavena
Meyer, Daniel
Meyer, Don
Microsoft Giving Campaign
Miller, David M.
Miller, Donald/Nancy
Mills, David/Catherine
Miner, Ilene
Minkin, Marlyn
Molenaar, Leslie and Lorna
Moore, Jennifer
Mulholland, Lisa
Munroe, Alia
Myers, Pamela
Noel, Lorie
Noel, Michelle
Novsam, Adam
O’Hara, Pat
Ozmun, Karen
Park, Karen
Pederson, Cheri
Peoples, James
Pettit, Yvette
Plancic, Cindy
Plecher, John
Provatakis, Clem
Reinhardt, Laurie Reese
Repyak, Lisa
Reves, Juan
Reynoso, Sal
Richardson, Donald O.
Riley, N.A.
Rosen, Jeff
Rosen, Peter S.
Ross, Richelle
Roth, Robert
Rowedder, Robin
Rozmaryn, James
Ruest,Elizabeth/David Oliver
Sanjay, Shah
Sasser, Jeremy
Savidge, Ellie  
Scherer, Morgan/Rachel Simon
Schlotfeldt, Katherine
Schnebele, Maxine
Seaborn, Cecily
Seiden, Nancy
Senfer, JoLynne
Seufer, JoLynne
Sign On
Simons, John
Slader, Norm
Smith, Johnny/Tracy
Smith, Theresa B.
Snowden, Martha
Sommer, Debbie
Sommer, Nancy
Sprint
Starbucks Matching Gifts Program
Steiner, Danny/Katherine
Steppler, Robert
Steuland, Karen
Sting, Ken/Annie
Sting, Renay
Stout, Sophie
Stueland, Karen
Swarts, Marlene Faye
Tandy-Guerrero, Diane
Taylor, Bernadette
Tenin, Caryn
Teskey, William/Elinor Powicke
Thomsen, Brogan
Torve, Lisa
Traub Carolyn
Tyree High School
United Way King County
United Way Snohomish County
Van Winkle, Constance
Visser, Bruce/Christine
WA State Mr. and Mrs. Leather Organization
Waite, Richard
Walker, Theresa
Wallber, Josara
Walt, Dorothy
Wardrop, Karen
Warren, Gerald/Diane
Wheeler, Patty
Wickard, Nancy
Wiederholt, Dennis
Wildenstein, Jeffrey M
Zimberoff, Holly

DBSC NEWSLETTER AND INFORMATION LISTS:
Survey

If you have not provided the information below please fill out this short survey and mail it back to the DBSC Office:  1620 18th Ave Suite 200, Seattle, 98122

Who are you?  (Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Interpreter, Student, Agency, etc…)

Would you like to receive our newsletter?
___ Yes e-mail version (what e-mail address do you prefer?)             

___ Yes print version (please provide your mailing address)

___ No thank you

If yes what format would you prefer?
___ Large Print
___ Braille Grade 1
___ Braille Grade 2
___ Regular Font

Would you like to be added to our information e-list?  (This list is different from our newsletter list; you will receive e-mails with DBSC news, community news and upcoming events)
___ Yes (what e-mail address do you prefer?)

___ No

Thank you for your time and assistance.

DONATION FORM

The Deaf-Blind Service Center is a non-profit organization.  We are funded through government contracts and individual donations.  All contributions are tax deductible within the rules and regulations set by the IRS.

Your support means a lot to us.

Yes!  I would like to make a donation to DBSC.  Enclosed is a contribution of:

¨  $25.00       ¨  $50.00            ¨  $100.00 
¨  $250.00     ¨  $500.00          ¨  $1000.00
¨  Other amount

I want this donation to be anonymous.

Name: _____________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

City/State/Zip: _______________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

Email: ______________________________________

Yes, the company I work for has a Matching Gifts program

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